Health Risks and Teens Principles of Human Services

Objectives List health risks associated with tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, and sexually transmitted diseases. Explain how routine decisions can affect your health.

Cigarette smoking is the largest preventable cause of illness and premature death in the United States. Many thousands of deaths each year are linked to cigarette smoking. Pregnant women who smoke have a higher risk of miscarriage and premature delivery.

Tobacco Definitions Passive Smoking – is the inhaling of smoke in a smoke-filled environment. Smokeless tobacco – a product, such as chewing tobacco or snuff, that is placed in the mouth for chewing or dipping.

Tobacco Studies show that children of smokers are more likely to suffer from respiratory ailments than children of non smokers. Smokeless tobacco products have been linked to gum cancer and irritations of the gums and lips. For people who have used tobacco products, quitting is one of the best steps they can take for their health. Within 24 hours, the risk of heart attack decreases. After three days, breathing becomes easier and lung capacity increases. Within weeks, the body’s energy level increases.

Is a depressant drug that is a serious health risk. Health care for alcohol-related illnesses and accidents costs millions of dollars every year.

Alcohol Alcohol can damage the brain, liver, stomach and other organs. It interferers with judgment, vision, muscle coordination, and reaction time. Alcoholism is the addiction to alcohol. It affects teenagers as well as adults. Lose control of their drinking Become dependent on alcohol Interferes with their health, personal relationships, and ability to function. Coffee and cold showers will not lessen its effects.

Alcohol Continued Alcohol continues to circulate in the body until the liver burns it up. This rate occurs at the rate of about one drink every two hours for a 150-lb person. Legal Risks: It is illegal for teens to buy alcohol. It is illegal for anyone to drive under the influence of alcohol.

A variety of other drugs – both legal and illegal – can be hazardous to health.

Other Drug Definitions Drug Abuse – the use of a drug for a purpose other than it was intended. Addiction – dependence of the body on a continuing supply of a drug. Even legal drugs purchased over the counter or with a prescription can be abused!

Other Drugs Some legal products not sold as drugs are used as drugs. Coffee, tea and soft drinks For the stimulating effect of the caffeine Paint, glue, nail polish remover Inhaled for their intoxicating effects

Other Drugs Continued Drug abuse can damage your health, interfere with your ability to function, and affect your mind. After an addiction has developed, taking the drug away will cause agonizing withdrawal symptoms. Experimenting can lead to more frequent drug use.

Long Term Health Risks of Drugs Caffeine – headaches, nervousness, stomach disorders Depressants such as PCP, tranquilizers, Quaaludes and barbiturates – fatigue, confusion, paranoia, addiction Hallucinogens such as LSD – hallucinations Inhalants – damage to the nervous system, kidneys and blood Marijuana – learning difficulties, lung damage, possible damage to reproductive organs, psychological addiction, possible link to use of other illegal drugs

Long Term Risks Continued Narcotics such as heroin and other opiates – addiction, malnutrition, risk of overdose and hepatitis, severe withdrawal symptoms Steroids – acne, stunted growth, sterility Stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines (speed) – nervousness, severe depression, nose damage, hallucinations, damage to the heart and brain

Even if you have sex with only one partner, that person may have had sex with two partners. Those partners may have had sex with others, and so on. If just one of the people in the chain has an STD, you are also at risk.

STD Definitions Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) – a disease spread mainly through sexual contact with symptoms and side effects ranging from an outbreak of blisters to blindness to death. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) – a deadly sexually transmitted disease caused by the human immunodeficency virus, which breaks down the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to disease

Definitions Continued Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) – the virus that causes AIDS. Handout – Facts About Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually Transmitted Disease Are a growing concern in the United States. Spread mainly through sexual contact. Can be passed from pregnant woman to their infants. Main STD’s that are a concern are AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis, Chlamydia, and herpes. Only sure way to prevent STD’s is to abstain from sex. The risk of contracting STD’s becomes higher as a person has more partners.

Viral STDs: a virus causes an infection that cannot be cured. Medicines can slow down viruses or treat the symptoms, but cannot eliminate them. Bacterial STDs: bacteria and protozoa cause infections, but can usually be treated with medicine called antibiotics.

Brief History of STDs 1960 – Syphilis and Gonorrhea were the only major STDs 1976 – Chlamydia first recognized 1981 – AIDS identified in US 1982 – Genital Herpes becomes common 2011 – Some Gonorrhea strains are drug-resistant 2013 – HPV is now widespread

Syphilis Bacterial STD that can eventfully attack the central nervous system if left untreated. 55, 400 new cases per year Can be asymptomatic for years Can easily be mistaken for another disease

Stages Primary Stage: Single sore days after infection; remains about 3 to 6 weeks Secondary Stage: itch-less skin rash, fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue Late Stage: damage to the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, bones and joints, paralysis, numbness, blindness and dementia

Gonorrhea Bacterial STD that grows easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tracts, mouth, throat, eyes and anus Estimated 820,000 cases per year Drug resistant strands are becoming common Females: Highly asymptomatic or mild symptoms easily mistaken for other infections Painful urination, increased vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding between periods Asymptomatic in males. Painful urination, white, yellow or green discharge from penis, painful or swollen testicles

Chlamydia Most common bacterial STD, can often damage a woman’s reproductive system Estimated 2.8 million cases per year. Females – highly asymptomatic Painful urination, increased vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever or pain during intercourse. Males – highly asymptomatic Painful urination, itching around and discharge from the penis, painful or swollen testicles

Genital Herpes 1 out of 6 (45-50 million) Americans age are currently infected The Herpes Simplex Virus is highly asymptomatic If symptoms occur: Blister on or around the genitals or rectum. They break leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take 2 to 4 weeks to heal No vaccines exist, through medications can reduce symptoms

HIV / AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus destroys white blood cells in the body. If T-cell count gets low, HIV leads to Aquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome AIDS disables the body to fight off infections. Currently 1.2 million Americans are infected with approximately 50,000 new HIV cases per year 20% of infected people are unaware they have HIV Treatment is estimated to cost $2000-$5000 per month

You make routine decisions every day of your life. You decide what to eat, where to go, and what to wear. Take a minute when making these decisions to think about how making these decisions may affect your health.

Routine Decisions What you eat – high fat foods vs nutritional foods Using crosswalks and following traffic signs Dressing for the weather High risk activities – bungee jumping, skydiving, etc. Be fully aware of the risks you are taking Make the activity as safe as possible Avoid risks when you can.

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